New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-02
THE LATE JOHN r. SMYTH.
THE CAREER OF AN ACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE
POLITICIAN

POLITICIAN.
ALBANY. July 1.-The death OF John r. smyth has
been the absorbing topic Of conversation In political
circles here today He had been In falling health
for long tlmo This time last year no was so SEN
ousIy III that his Life desparcd of. 1t u under
stood that tho disease that put end to his life was
dropsy complicated with ether disorders. MI. ehyth
was born in Glasgow In the year 1879 ana cano "
this country In 1880 The son OF prominent sco.cn
lawyer he received good education and his acquire
ments added to his talents and force OF character!
rendered him a strong and resourcefm man. All
through his life he was n close student OF history.
general literature and music and was recognized as ono
of the most brilliant and witty coversatiohaiisc' VI
this CITY Indeed, his hold upon such mon as ROSCOE
Conking and tho late General Arthur was attributed
as much to personal QUALITIES as 10 unhosi'@one ooi
In political manipulation.
ON reaching this country Mr.. smyth went at once
to Clark's Mills. Oneida County, where there WAS
prosperous Scotch settlement In which he had many
aooualntances among others Mr. James Brydon, whose
daughter Agnes he married soon after, Ho was
employed as boofheeper In Clarks extensive WOODEN
mills While holding this position he formed the ac'
ouaintance Of Roscoe Conkiing then Mayor Of Utica
In 1858 Nh. Conkllng was a candidate for the WING
Or Republican nomination for Congress against UT
sanus h. Matteson. who then represented the district
The contest in tho party was bitter Mr. CLARK MT.
Smyth's employer, was an earnest supporter Oh a'to
son. but through Mr. Smyth's oXertions the votes OF
tho mill hands were given to Mr.. ConkDng, who Won
the nomination and the election. On the DAY tho
result was known Mr.. Clark dismissed Mr.. Smyth from
his employ for his activity Mr. Condng never ceased
TO DO grateful TO Mr. Smyh for his action ut that tne
and throughout his public no Insisted that ME-
SMITH should share Ia his succosses In 1859 MI
Conkling secured a clenHsbip in the Canal Auditors
office in Albany for Mr. Smyth, who theDceforward
made the capital his home, acvotng himself Wlui
1881 to advancing the political fortunes oi MT Cohh
ling. In 1868 Mr. Smyth was made supervisor oi
Internal Revenue for tho Northern District OF Now
York. AMI no held this office for several years. Hd
then entered tho mailing business, In which he TO
manned until 1872 when he was appointed postmaster
of Albany by President Grant Mr., smyths activity
In Republican politics In Albany began In 1909, ana
during the closing years OF the war he was mentor
Of the Republican Caunty Committed Later he heid
the chaira nsip for several years. In 1870, on the
resignatio OF Hamilton Harris from tho Republican
state Committee aiter ten years service, MI smSth
elected TO tako his place Is tho representative ior
the Albany district lie hold that position until
1853, serving la 1882 us chairman
In 1876 no was a delegate to the National Con-
ventlon which New-York prosecuted the name OF
Senator Conlling for tho Presidential nomination. In
1877 Governor Robinson (DeniJ surprised tho state
senate by nominating Mr. smyth Tor superintendent
Ut Insurance. The disputed Presidential election was
undog discussion in Congress- aud the position
OF stnator Conkling with ro.erence to 1t Was not
aetel Inined. Win or without Ito knowledge of son
I4iden organization to believe that the appointment
u Ar suiy superintendent vi Insurance wound DO
followed by senator Conklings rcpudialon OF the de-
cislon OF tho ELECTORAL Commission ahu uocIla.v
ia favor OF TildeI Tho nomination OF Mr' ohS W.
ali eVSats, forcoI upon Governor Robinson Ny
several "a Mr. TDdcns manasu4s, and The state senate
Icing Republican ho wa oon4fmod A year hSi,
In Io.e, Cove Robinson ploerIed charges against
Mr 5mytn's administration Oh the department. aud Id
was trIcd anu acu tted by the senate IN 1850 Gov
eruof Cornel rcnOmlnated MI smyth for superin
teGdent oi Insurance " Inc Albany Jouinai, tno.,
eiltCd by Charles h. Smith, DIR. Siny hs personal anu
political .reni, Commended the Tenomnaton Iho7e
VINO o"noda oononlas interest In the paper pI0ee.Sa
anu the r suit that Mr.. Smith retired HOHi Inc
journal" and that George Dawson became IT'S tenpo-
rary editor an inmA ely began an oi,sialght against i
Mr. smyth which resulted In tho wIthd-aMal Oh lie
Ing deleases favorable TO General Grants rcnomlna
ton primaries were called in Albany on twents,iou
Republican organization nj tho capital and was held
responsible for these snap primaries socialist They
led 10 a meeting over which George Da"t9n
Irosidod at which Mr. smyth's course was severely
criticised . . e,,..
and MIR smyth was there ono OF Mr. Conkling'e
most trciess leutenAnts. After President Caiheld
loctorship OF the Fort Of NewYork The party history
subsoqnolt TO the appointment Of Collector koGoESs91
a familiar 10 all Upon the death OF President Garfield
President Arthur was pressed to make Nj snHta
collector, but refused to do so NJ smyth dih not
withdrawal He was delegate In l5s2 70 the Sarai9Ss a
ocnyenaon whoe hs GPPo' 1T FOR Sroars
Tolger After the convention he was chosen chairman
Sam%ssn Of Is9a In 1888 several OF Mr. smyths
most active lleutenants In Albany, inolnnng OK
Issemllyran A. s. Draper. Collector james W BENT
iey and Surveyor John ~ Luby, Joined with inc oppo
sfon n Mr. sNth. carried tho district conventions
in Albany County against him suddenly, and chose
Mr. Draper, the present Superintendent OF inbIc IN
str1iction a. moniber Of the State Committee In hs
stead In 1894, however Mr. smyh coopented with
tic faction OF the party which had hitherto mosI
vigorously opposed him and cor,ucteh canvass Whcn
ended I'm tho election OF two delegations from Albany
Comfy TO tho National Convention each OF which wa,
given hslf OF The County's vote In tho Presidential
SampaIgn of that yea. Mr. emyth declined to take On
active part Tho combination elected him IA
delegate 20 the State Convention In 1895.
After leaving the Insurance supe,fn'cndency Mr.
smyth went into the brokerage business IN Albany, but
was not successful and the venture ended In an ASSIGN
mcnt lie leaves a wife and Mr.. Smyth'a
dry huror shrewd observations and genial manners
maac him favonte In society, and his death causes
general regret